If the grants and scholarships you received weren't quite enough to cover what you need to attend college, you might be considering student loans. While federal student loans don't require a cosigner, you may need one to borrow from private lenders. In this guide, we explain everything you need to know about cosigners; who qualifies, when you need one, and what to do if you can't find someone willing to cosign on a private student loan.
What is a cosigner?
A cosigner is an individual who agrees to be equally and legally responsible for paying back another person's loan or debt, such as a student loan.
If the borrower is unable to make payments, the cosigner is required to pay. In the event of late payments or a defaulted loan, the cosigner and borrower's credit is negatively affected. Outstanding debt can also affect the cosigner's ability to take out other loans.
You may need a cosigner for a private student loan if you don't have a steady income or haven't yet built a good credit history. A cosigner with strong credit could also help you qualify for a lower interest rate or more money than you would as a sole borrower.
Who can cosign a student loan?
In most cases, cosigners on student loans are parents, but they can include grandparents, older siblings, spouses, and even friends. Generally, there are three things needed to be a cosigner:
- Cosigners must meet their state's age of majority—the age they're considered an adult in their state. For most states, this is 18. In Alabama and Nebraska the age of majority is 19. In Mississippi the age of majority is 21.
- Cosigners need to be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
- Cosigners should have a good credit history. The required credit score varies from lender to lender, but many look for credit scores of at least 640 (on a scale of 300-850).
Talk to your cosigner
If you need a private student loan to cover the cost of college, you and your potential cosigner need to talk honestly and have a plan for how the money will be paid back. Some points to consider include:
- Does your cosigner plan to contribute financially?
- If you're paying alone, can you realistically handle the payments?
- What are your career plans after college?
- Whose bank account will the payments come out of each month?
- How will you handle things if a payment is late?
- Will you refinance when you have solid credit to remove them from the loan?
Can you get student loans without a cosigner?
You can get federal student loans without a cosigner, but most private student loans require one.
Federal student loans
Federal student loans taken out by the student don't require a cosigner. The US Department of Education offers all borrowers the same fixed interest rates, no matter their income or credit. How much you can borrow is determined by your college's cost of attendance (COA), your financial need, and your year in college.
While it doesn't require a credit check, you have to demonstrate financial need to qualify for direct subsidized loans. Most applicants qualify for direct unsubsidized loans, which doesn't consider your financial need. You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply.
Parents of college students can also take out Federal Direct PLUS Loans but there is a credit check that looks for adverse credit history. If your parents have an adverse credit history, they may require an endorser, similar to a cosigner. Today, approved parents can borrow up to the college's COA minus any financial aid the student is already receiving.
Effective July 1, 2026, a parent may borrow $20,000 per year per dependent student with a $65,000 aggregate limit per dependent student. If a borrower has a Federal Direct PLUS Loan made before July 1, 2026, while the dependent student is enrolled in a credentialed program, the parent can continue to borrow under current loan limits for 3 academic years or the remainder of their dependent student's expected time to credential, whichever is less.
Private student loans
Most private student loan lenders, such as banks and credit unions, require a strong credit history or a cosigner.
There are some lenders who offer no-cosigner loans, but they may charge a higher interest rate. If you opt for one of these, you may want to refinance as soon as you graduate, get a job, and build up your credit history to get a better rate.
Can cosigners be removed from a loan?
Yes, you can remove a cosigner from a loan if the borrower submits a cosigner release* or refinances the loan.
A cosigner release releases the cosigner from responsibilities, if approved. To apply, you generally need:
- Proof of graduation or completion of your program
- Have made a certain amount of on-time, full principal and interest loan payments.
- Have steady income to prove that you'll be able to continue making the loan payments on your own
- Have good credit
Refinancing your loan can also remove your cosigner and could potentially get you a lower interest rate or better repayment plan. You'll have to be able to be approved for the new loan on your own, which means steady income and good credit.
What if you can't find a cosigner?
If you can't find a cosigner, contact your college's financial aid office. They sometimes have lenders who work with students in similar situations, and you might be able to appeal the financial aid award offer for more money.
If you have a friend or family member who is reluctant to make the cosigner commitment, there are ways you can limit their liability, such as a cosigner release or refinancing.
Ready to take the next step?
Paying for college can be complicated. Citizens is here to help you navigate all of your options for today and the future. Make sure to visit our Student Lending page — we're on chat.